Lead pencil



Jul;`r 13 1926.

A. POLLAK 'LEAD PENCIL Filed Nov. 24. 1924 -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR l ATTORNEY,

A. POLLAK July 13 1926.

LEAD PENCIL Filed Nov, 24, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented July il3, 1926..

naam ronmix, or Naw Yonx, n. Y., Yoan,

assienoa lro san-Uni. mima, .oir Naw N. Y.

Lahn nnen..

.Application med November 94, 1924. Serial Io. 751,785.

The invention relates `t o improvements in mechanical lead pencils of 'the magazine type, and it consists Vin the novel features, v arrangements and combinations of parts 5 hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

One object of the invention is to provide a lead pencill capable of holding in an upper magazine chamberanumber of sticks of .10 .lead adapted foruse in the pencil and of automatically feeding the same, one at a time, to the mechanism, by which the individual sticks of lead are projected' for writing pur- 15; A further object of they invention is to `provide'in a lead pencil of the magaaineV type eilicient means for feeding forwardly the individual sticks .of lea'd without` .danger 'Y of breaking the same and which mechanism 2 will permit a projecting piece of lead to be pushedA back in to the pencil.

A. further purpose of the invention is to provide means forl propelling the individual Vsticksof lead in such manner that a short 2? ,piece of lead unsuitable for further use, is

discharged from thepencil by the succeedingstick of-lead following it into the op.- erating mechanism of the-pencil. A further purpose of the invention is to 3 provide -a pencil of-the type described in which the interior mechanism. intended to grin the stick of lea'd -is adapted to have a reciprocating A plunger-like movement, '-in one 'direction or forwardlyby the pressure of the linger on the'exterior cap of the pencil and in the other direction or rearwardly by an interposed spring concealed within the pencil,`fthe gripping mechanism being adapted to slide rearwardly freelof the stick of lead and whenpressed forwardly being adapted to grip the stick of lead and move the same forwardly. L

The invention will be fully understood from the detailed description hereinafter presented, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: ,ssii

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through a lead pencil yembodying` myinvention, the interior mechanism 4of the pencil being shown in its outer or rear posit1on,vwith the stickof lead gripped between opposing membersand ready tov be thrust forwardly to writing posit-ion when the interior'mechaknism is pressed forwardly in opposition to the force of the enclosed spring;

` Fig. 10V is a side elevation of the .pencil tipshown detached from the pencil;

through a sleeve havin Fig. 2 is a corresponding view on a larger scale an'd partly broken away, showing the opposite position of the interior mechanism of the pencil, lsuch mechanism having been pressed forwardly to eject the stick of lead for writin purposes and havingreleas'ed the stick o lead preparatory to being movedtoA its rst or rear position by the enclosed SPflPg; A Q

Fig. V3 is a-.view corresponding with Fig. 2, but'illustr'ating the interior mechanism of the pencil as receding rearwardly but as not -having fully reached the position in which the parts are shown in Fig. 1;

Fig.. 4 is a transverse section on a larger scale through the pencil, taken on the dotted line of Fig. 1; 'Y

Fig. 5 -is acorresponding view through gie s-me, taken on the dotted line 5 5 of ig. y

Fig. 6 is a correspondingY view through lie sme, takenon the dotted line 6-6 of Fig. 7 is a corresponding view through glie sme, taken on the dotted line i-7 of Fig. 8 isa detached central vertical sec: tion izhrough the outer casing vof the lead nella a A I Fig. 9 is a corresponding section through the cap of the pencil;

.forward Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the assembled interior mechanism of the pencil and which mechanism is to bev insertedV into the outer casting shown in Fig. 8;

Fi 12 is a vertical section on a' larger scale and partly broken away, through the lower end portion of the magazine for holding. the supply of sticks of lead;

Fig. 13 is a central vertical section through the nut positioned at the lower end of the spring shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a central vertical section a conical bore and which is enclosed andongitudinally movable within the member shown at the lower end of Fig. 1'1 and also in Fig.' 16; l

Fig. 15 is a central vertical section 105 through a collet constituting a portion of the interior mechanism and whose upper end e is screwed into the base. member 'of the magazine shown in Fig. 12 and whose lower en d is confined within the chamber'of the 110 member s liown in Fig. 16 and -at`the lower en d of Fig. 11, the coiled spring shown in Figs.1, 2, 3 and l11, being arranged to encircle this collet between the lower end of the said magazine and the nut shown in Fig. 13, positioned at the upper end of the niember shown at the lower end of Fig. 11;

' outer or rear end of said casing and 22 a conical section formed on the forward end of the casing 20.

The. interior mechanism of the lpencil comprises the parts shown in Figs. 11 to 16 inclusive, plus the tip 23 having the threaded stem 24 shown in Fig. 10, which is finally, in the assembly, connected with said interior mechanism.

The interiormechanism of the pencil, commencing at the outer or rear end lof the same, comprises a sleeve 25 (Figs. 1 and 11),

a magazine tube 26 secured at' its outeriend within the lower portion of said sleeve, a.

base member 27 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12) secured to the lowei` end'of said magazine tube and whose upper surface is of inverted conical formation, as at 28, and constitutesthe lower fioor of the magazine and supports the series of reserve leads 29 shown in Fig. 1, a collet 3() whose upper threaded end is screwed into the threaded socket 31 of the base member 27 andwhose tubular interior is in line with a hole or bore 32 extending downwardly, for the passage of the leads, from the floor 28 of the lead-magazine, a

coiled spring 33 on the collet 30 and engag-j ing at 4its upper end the-aforesaid base member 27, a nut 34 'against which the lower end of said spring 33` presses and which is screwed into the-upper end of a tubular fitting or section 35 which'closely seats within the forward conical portion of the main casing -20, and a sleeve 36 (Fig..14) which is vertically slidable within the chamber 37 of the tubular fitting or section 35 or between the lower end of the nut 34 and an annular shoulderv 38 formed withinV and `on said section 35. The'lower portion of the collet 30 is within'the. chamber 37 of the `chamber 37, whereby fthe shoulder formed. A threaded opening 40 .e ends` tubular tting or section 35, and the sleeve 36 encompasses the collet 30 within saidchamber 37. Below the chamber 37 an auxiliary chamber 39 is formed in the tubu,k `lar section 35, said chamber 39 being con` centric with and of less diameter than the 8 is through the lower end of the tubular section 35, said opening being concentric with the chambers 39, 37 above it, and into this threaded opening 40 is screwed the tubular stem 24 of the tip 23, shown in Fig. 10. The tip 23 comprises the tubular threaded stem 24, and a lower clutch member/41, at the upper edge of which is formed a shoulder 42 which engages the lower edge of the conical section 22 of the exterior casing 20. The tip 23 is split vertically in its clutch section 41 and is adapted to -grip the stick of lead which may be projected into it, but the gripping action of the clutch 41 is such as not to interfere with the forward propulsion of the stick of lead or in the return of the stickof lead into the pencil at such time as it may be desired to press the lead back intotlie pencil. The purpose of the clutch member 41 is to hold the stick of lead firmly while the pencil is used for writing purposes and to prevent the stick of lead from slipping entirely from the lead pencil at such time as the propelling gripping mechanism contained within the pencil is free of the lead.

The details of the exterior casing 2O will be apparent from an inspection of Fig..8, said casing being a plain tube having at its lower end the conical section 22 which is open at its lower end.'

The cap 21 is a plain elongated tubularl cap closed at its outer endand adapted toy on the outer end of4 have sliding movement the exterior casing 20, wardly on said casing being pressed downuser of the pencil and moved in a reverse f direction or rearwardly by the spring 30 when the pressure of the linger is released from the cap, as hereinafter explained. u

Themagazine tube 26 is a plain straight cylindrical tube having a snug but sliding fit within the exterior casing 20, and said magazine tube 26 has at its upper end the sleeve 25 which is rigid with the tube 26 and has a somewhat enlarged upper portion 43 which is split to have a spring action and receives a plug 44 of rubber or the like. plug 44 closes the upper end of the magazine. The' enlarged portion -43 of the cap 25 tightly receives with a friction fit the cap 21. The sleeve 25 is normallyl spaced frpm and above the upper edges ofthe exterior casing 20, as shown in Fig. 1, and hence the sleeve, cap 21 and magazine 26 may be moved forwardly or toward the lower end of the casing 20 by pressure applied onl the outer end of the cap 21, the space between the lower'edge of the sleeve 25 and upper edge of the 'casing 20 being provided to permit of the reciprocating movement of said magazine, sleeve and cap.

The lower end ofthe magazine tube 26 is closed by the base memberI or plug 27 whose upper portion tightly fits the lower end of The d Throughout about the magazine tube andwhose lower portion vshoulders against the lower edgel of said fthe base member or plug 27 inchnes downwardly toward its center and merges into the vertical opening 32 throu h which the leads, one after another, are a owed to ass, said leads by reason of the formation` of) the' upper surface of the base member or'plug 2 automatically linding'their way to the 'opening 32 and passingthence into the collet 30. l

The collet 30 is tubular and screwed into the threaded socket 31 formed in the base member or plug 27, and the bore of said collect is concentric with the vertical opening 32 in 4said Abase member or plug 27. one-half of its lenh, this being the upper orrear half, the co let 30 -is a plain straight tube. The lower or forward portion ofthe collet 30 is tubular and split to form spring arms whose lower portions are thickened and have outer surfaces which incline downwardly and out, wardly and inner surfaces formed with gripping surfaces 46. B y reason of the construction of the lower ends of the arms 45, said ends, which I ynumber 47, l perform wedge functions, 'Ilie arms 45 are ward each other for the purpose of gripping the lead, as Vshown in Fig. 1, and lto automatically spring outwardly from the lead when permitted sok to` do, as'shown in z Fig. 2. The arms 45 at their wedge ends 47 are adapted to slide outwardly or toward the rear over thelstick of lead without enlio gaging the same, but when the magazine and collet are pressed forwardly by pressure applied to the cap 21, said arms grip theA stick of lead and propel the same forfwardly until the collet reaches its forward limit of travel whereupon said arms automatically release thestick of lead, the lead then having beenprojected forwardly for writing purposes.y

The lower portion of the collet 30 is within the interior chamber of theiitting or `base member 35, and the upper end of said lit` ting or base member 35 receives the nut 34 which has a vertical bore-a threaded rtion which enters the fitting -orase member 35 and' a head which seats against the outer or rear edge. of` said base-member vor fitting 35, :is-clearly shown in Figs. 2

and 3. Thecollet 30 extends through the` The base or forward portion of the exterior casing 20 and is stationary in said casing. Between the nut 34 and the base member or. plug 27 of the magazine tube 26, is positioned the' coiled spring 33` whosetension acts to press the fitting or base member 35against. its

as hereinafter explained. adapted to be closed to-l by a finger'applied on the outer end of the 70` cap 12, said spring then'compressing, and when the pressure of the finger has been relieved from thecap 21, the spring 33 restores the magazine, collet and cap to their outer'position, shown in Fig. 1,

Within the chamber 37 of the fitting or base member 35 is loosely placed the sleeve v 36, the walls of whose bore incline down! wardly and outwardly, thereby creating a wedge within the sleeve. The outer walls 30 of the `sleeve 36 are plain an'd straight and freely slidable on the v walls of the chamber 37. The sleeve 36 encompasses the lower' portion of the collet 30 lwithin the cham 'ber 37. When the spring 33 moves the mag- 95 -azinfe 26 and collet 30 outwardly or toward the rear. the wedgemembers 47 of the collet engage the wedge-shaped bore of the sleeve 36 and -move said sleeve in an outvard or rearward direction until the upper edge of the sleeve becomes arrested on the lower edge of the nut- 34, and thereafter during the slight further' outward or rearward movement of the magazine 26 and collet 30 under the influence of the spring 33. the vwedge members 47 of the collet by sliding against the wedge surface ofthe bore of the sleeve -36, become squeezed inwardlv toward one.

another and against the stick of lead 'eX tending through the collet wherebv the collet 1.00

is caused to grip the lead and maintain.such" grip due to the said wedgeportions being` tightly held within the bore of the sleeve 36. i When thereafter pressure is applied on the outer end of tbe cap'21, said cap,'the maga- 105 the lower end of the chamber 37.. When the 115' wedge members 47 enter the chamber 39 and thus become free from the -wedging action. of the sleeve 36, said wedge members' spring orv yield outwardly from and release the stick of leudQhaving byl lthat time propelled the Stick4 of lead throughout the forward stroke imparted to the collet bv the pressure of the finger on the cap 21. When the wedge members 47 and' sleeve. 36 reach their exti"y e forward position, shown in Fig. 2, the pressure of the finger on the yc ap 21`is released and thereupon the spring 33 acts to move the magazine tube 26 and collet 30 outwardlv and at this tiire the wedge members 47 of the collet draw the sleeve 36 outwardly 'up- 130- again grip the stick of lead preparatory to lli again propellingr the lead forwardly when pressure is applied against the cap 21. The lower end oi the collet is dished upwardly, as at 48, and the upper exposed end of the stem 2 4 is beveled downwardly and outwardiy, these features of the construction being te yinsure the outward movement of the wedge members 47 from the stick of vlead when said members reachtheir lower position within the chamber 39 at the base of lthe chamber 37 (Fig. 2). rlhe wedge members 47 are expected to spring outwardly when they pass below the influence of the wedge sleeve 36, but it for any lreason they should not act automatically. the dished IJ surface 48 by engaging the tapered upper end of the stem 24 -will assist the wedge nerlbers 47 in moving outwardly to tree the The methodi of assembling the several parts shown in Fig. 10 and Figs. 12 to 14 inclusive may vary, but one convenient method would be to slip the sleeve 36 downwardly upon the collet 30 and then introduce "the lower end of the collet, withsaid sleeve, into Ithe tting or base member 35, whereupon the-nut 34 may be slipped down uponv the collet and screwed into the upper end of saidtting or base member 35. The spring 33 may then be slipped downwardly over the collet 30 and the upper threaded end of the collet screwedinto the socket 31 ofthe base member or plug 27 of the magazine tube 26, after which leadsv 29 having been introduced into the maga-zine tube, the plug 44 may beinserted into the upper end of the sleeve .25 carried by the upper end of said magazine tube. all the aforesaid parts then y being in the condition shown in Fig. 11 and ready to be introduced into the exterior caslng 20. After the assembled interior structure shown in Fig. 11 has been introduced mto the exterior casing 20, the tip 23 will be applied by inserting the stem 24 upwardly l through the lower end of the casing and screwing the same into the threaded opening 40 in the lower Aend of the base member or tting 35 until the shoulder 42 on said t1p firmly engages the lower edge of said casing 20. The application of the tip 23 to posltlon serves to firmly lock the fit- -tlng or base member 35 rigidly within the lower portion of the exterior casing 20. After the interior mechanism has been applied within the casing 20, the cap 21- is Kpushed downwardly over the sleeve 43 and catin ineeaeee plug 44 at the upperl end oit said casing 20, 'as shown in Fig. 1.

The operation of pencil will be largely understood from the foregoing description. One stick of lead will automatically slide downwardly through the opening 32 in the base member or nut 27 et the ma azine 26 and enter the collet 30, passing ownwardly to the wedge portions 47 thereof, then in their upper position shown in Fig. 1. Pressure will then be applied upon the outer end of the cap 21 to force the collet downwardly into the chamber 39 at the lower end .of the chamber 37 so that the wedge members 47 may spread apart'and ermit the lead to pass between them andP into the tip 23. Thereafter the pressure on the cap 21 is released and the spring 33 restores themagazine tube 26 and collet 30 to their outer position, in arriving at which, the wedge members 47 will grip the stick of lead, as shown in Fig. 1, and thereupon if the ca 21 is ressed downwardly again, the mem ers 47 will force the lower end of the stick Aof lead outwardly from th tip23 so that the same may be used for writmg purposes, as shown in Fig. 2. Immediately uponthe lead being projected in the manner shown in Fig. 2 pressure on the cap 21 will lbe released to permit the magazine tube 26 and collect 30, with the sleeve 36, to return to their upper position shown in Fig. 1, in which position the members 47 will again gripl the stick of lead and hold the same stationary during the use of' the pencil. rl'he repeated' reclprocation of the cap 21, magazine tube 26 and collet 30 as the end of the stick of lead becomes worn off, will finally result in the stick of lead becoming so short as not to be engaged by the members 47 of the collet 30, and at this timaa further stick of lead will descend from the magazine tube 26 against the upper end of the short piece of lead then held within the tip 23. The recipromovement .of the cap 21 and collet 30 will cause this new stick of lead to be moved downwardly by intermittent movements against the short piece of lead in the tip 23, until finally the short piece of .lead will become. fully ejected from the Y lower end of said tip' and beA followed up by the lower end of the new stick of lead desired to return the penci to the pocket,

downward pressure may be applied on the cap 21 to release the gripping members 47.

of the collet from the lead, whereupon the projecting portion of the lead may be pushed' ack into the tip 23.

The invention is not limited to all the the mechanism of the M vleo ` parture from my imanes details of form and construction hereinbefore described, since I am aware that some of such details may be modifiedy without deinvention and within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim `as my invention and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. A mechanical lead pencil including a casing having a tip at its lower end for guiding and supporting a piece of lead, a

vtubular collet slidably mounted within the casing, said collet beine' provided at one of its ends with a plura ity of spring arms having relatively lon inner gripping surfaces between which t e piece of leadpasses, and means for causing the .collet to alternately grip and release the lead to propel it step-by-step as the collet is reciprocated in the casing.

2. A mechanical lead pencil asI claimed y in claim l, in which said spring arms have outer inclined or wedge surfaces, and-in which the means for closing said arms against and, thereafter lreleasing themk to free the lead comprise a slidable sleeve having a wedge bore encompassing said arms, a shoulder yttor arresting said sleeve on its outward movement with said arms before said arms complete their movement, whereby the wedge surfaces of the arms are moved against the wedge surfaces of the then stationary sleeve and said arms are thereby caused to close against the lead, and a shoulder for arresting said sleeve on its forward movement in binding relation with /said arms before said arms cease their movement, rwhereby said arms travel beyond the influence of said sleeve and free themselves from the lead. i

3. A mechanical lead pencil including a casing having a tip at its lower end for guiding and supporting a piece of lead, a tubular collet' slidably mounted within the casing, said collet being provided at one of its ends with a plurality of spring arms having inner gripping surfaces between which the\p\iece of lead passes, the outer surfaces of saidspring arms being tapered outwardly and Mdownwardly, a clamping ring encircling the spring arms, said clamping ring being movable with the collet and havmg a wedge bore complementary to thetapered outer surfaces of the spring arms whereby to normally hold the spring armsin gripping engagement with the lead, means for reciprocating the collet, and means for limiting the movement of the clamping ring to a shorter stroke than that of the collet whereby to cause the alternate gripping and releasing of the lead as the collet. is reciprocated.

Signed at New York city, in the county of NewYork and State of'New York this I20thday Iozt November, A. D. 1924.

ABRAHAM POLLAK. 

